Ministerial meetings

How often do IEA Ministerial meetings take place?Once every two years, the Governing Board convenes at ministerial level. The Ministerial meeting affords a chance to set the broad strategic priorities for the IEA (alongside the direction offered at the regular meetings of the Governing Board, which take place several times a year at the IEA headquarters in Paris). Although ministers instruct the IEA to focus on a specific issue, the direction they provide also comes by simple virtue of the discussions that ensue at Ministerial meetings. The IEA Secretariat then digests what has been discussed and develops ideas for existing or new work programmes, which it then presents to the Governing Board. Importantly, Ministerial meetings also provide an opportunity for member countries themselves to agree to undertake certain actions in the field of energy policy, either domestically or collectively. Read about the outcomes of the 2015 Ministerial meeting here.

For how long do Ministerial meetings last?Since the IEA was established, the duration of meetings has varied depending on the needs of the organisation, as well as the political and energy climate. The most recent three events ran for one and a half days each. In 2015, the Ministerial meeting was held on 17-18 November.

Is this the only opportunity the IEA has to interact with its member countries?No, the Ministerial meeting should not be seen in isolation. It is part of the extensive web of interaction that the IEA Secretariat has with member and non-member countries from the expert level right up to the highest political level. Such interaction takes place through a host of committee and working party meetings under the Governing Board, and through advisory and other informal bodies and meetings.

Why are representatives from non-member countries invited to participate?Growing economic interdependence and increasingly global energy market and environmental issues make IEA relations with non-member countries, industry, international organisations and other stakeholders especially important. Member countries and non-member countries must work together and share knowledge and ideas to overcome current global energy challenges.

When did the Ministerial first include non-member delegations?Non-member countries have attended since at least 2001. In 2015 representatives from the non-member countries Brazil, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa and Thailand attended all sessions of the Ministerial, with no closed sessions exclusively for member countries. During the Ministerial, China, Indonesia and Thailand activated their Association status with the IEA.

Are one-on-one meetings held?Yes. It is no secret that, at this kind of event, what goes on outside of the official meeting is often just as important for a minister as what happens inside. A large number of bilateral meetings are conducted involving countries, industry leaders, and senior representatives of the IEA.

Who runs the meeting?In 2015, the US Secretary of Energy, H.E. Dr. Ernest Moniz, served as the Ministerial Chair; in 2013 Turkey held the chair for the first time ever.